The academy courtyard was quiet… almost too quiet.
Damon, Lira, and Will had just finished their ability origin class. Their steps echoed as they walked together, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the grounds.
[System Alert: Elevated Threat Potential — Unknown Entity Detected]
Damon's crimson eyes narrowed. His system was humming, scanning subtle movements among the surrounding students.
"Something's off," he murmured.
Lira's energy flared faintly, forming a barely-visible shimmer around them. "I feel it too. Like someone's watching… and waiting."
Will's dark eyes swept across the courtyard. "Good. Let's see who's bold enough to challenge us openly."
A sudden ripple ran through the air. Students scattered slightly as a figure stepped into the open—a tall boy with silver-gray hair, muscles taut, and a confident grin. His aura was sharp, aggressive, and unmistakably enhanced.
"Damon Vale," he called, voice carrying across the courtyard. "I've been waiting. Let's see if the Unclassified one is all hype."
Before Damon could respond, two more students appeared behind the first—a speed-enhanced fighter and a strength-enhanced brute, clearly backing him up.
[System Analysis — Combined Threat: Medium-High]
[Probability of Solo Survival: Low]
Damon's system immediately began scanning.
[Recommendation: Team Synergy Activation — Immediate]
[Roles Assigned: Damon = Prediction & Strike, Will = Intercept & Force, Lira = Defense & Battlefield Control]
The trio shifted instinctively: Damon in front, predicting enemy movement, Will slightly to the side, ready to counter, and Lira controlling the battlefield, ready to redirect attacks and protect both.
The lead challenger charged at Damon, fists crackling with kinetic energy. Damon didn't dodge—he predicted the trajectory and sidestepped at the precise moment, redirecting the force harmlessly toward the empty courtyard.
Will intercepted the speedster, matching him step for step, striking with calculated precision that sent the enemy sliding across the ground.
Lira's energy barriers rippled outward, redirecting stray attacks and shielding the trio as the brute attempted a full-force assault.
[System Update: Team Coordination — Optimal]
[Synergy Index: Max Growth Potential Detected]
The fight escalated. Damon's system now integrated the terrain into calculations—predicting where every attack might land and signaling Will and Lira through subtle visual cues and mental coordination.
Damon thought: They rely on raw power… we rely on precision and teamwork.
Will struck again, exploiting the openings Damon predicted, while Lira amplified each counter with her battlefield manipulation, turning momentum against the attackers.
Within moments, the challengers were on the defensive, clearly struggling to adapt to the coordinated tactics of an unclassified system user and two elite students.
The system pulsed softly, almost satisfied.
[Combat Data Logged — Efficiency: 97%]
[Growth Acceleration: Active]
The attackers withdrew, panting and glaring. Whispers spread quickly:
"Unclassified… working with an Arden?"
"That girl's controlling the battlefield like a pro!"
"They've formed a team… unstoppable if they keep this up."
Damon looked at Will and Lira. Crimson eyes met dark and soft ones.
"Together," Damon said simply.
Will nodded. "Together."
Lira smiled. "We've got this."
Even the system noted it:
[Trio Tactical Team — Confirmed Real Threat Capability]
[External Observation: Academy Watchers — Alerted]
High above, in a hidden observation tower, the visored man observed silently.
[Subject Damon Vale — Combat Performance Logged]
[Team Dynamics Observed — Potential High]
The academy had just witnessed the first true test of the trio, and the message was clear:
They were no longer beginners.